Effects of motor imagery training on service performance in novice tennis players: the role of imagery ability

The aim of this study was to examine how imagery ability could affect service improvement, following pre-performance motor imagery (MI) intervention, in young novice tennis players. Participants were divided into 3 groups with regard to their MI ability scores (Poor imager, Good imager and Control groups) obtained on the Movement Imagery Questionnaire for Children. During a pre-test, participants performed 10 services. The pre-performance MI practice was included during physical practice for 24 sessions. Each session consisted of 20 services, which were first imagined and then physically performed. Participants of the Poor and Good imager groups were required to use external visual MI, while those of the control group were given a countdown task. Participants performed an intermediate-test, after a first block of 12 practice sessions, and a post-test one-week after the last block of practice session, which were identical to the pre-test. The results of this study showed that MI improved service performance (i.e., percentage of success, speed and efficiency), and that this improvement was faster in the Good imager than in the Poor imager group. More specifically, The Poor imager group required more MI interventions to achieve equivalent performance to Good imager group. The impact of MI practice on service performance, for novice tennis players, is discussed.